Undercover investigation exposes shocking overcharging at car garages
Drivers are being charged up to five times the genuine cost for simple car repairs by garages and mechanics, an undiscovered investigation has found.
Vehicle diagnostic specialist Carly carried out a nationwide mystery shopping exercise to assess whether UK garages charge consistently for like-for-like repairs.
And the findings exposed some garages charging over £500 more than they should for a basic fix.
Using the same Seat Ibiza with a known oxygen sensor fault, the investigation uncovered significant price disparities, with quotes reaching as much as £672 for a repair that should only cost in the region of £110.
The worrying findings come as rising fuel prices continue to squeeze drivers' finances.
The UK sees the highest average pump price for diesel since mid-August 2024 due to the ongoing conflict between the US-Israel and Iran as the nation's motorists also brace for an increase in road tax from next month.
This is Money can exclusively reveal that Britain's motorists are being ripped off by car garages: up to five times the cost for simple repairs, an undiscovered investigation has found
Carly's investigation, conducted on 10 UK garages spanning independent and main dealer networks across the country, found that while every site correctly diagnosed the issue as a 'P003100' fault with the oxygen sensor, repair quotes varied dramatically.
While the garages themselves are unable to be identified, Carly can say that a garage in Leeds (national chain) quoted £672 to replace both oxygen sensors, a main dealer in Stoke-on-Trent quoted £618, and another main dealer - this time in Sunderland - was charging £328 for the same job.
Even the lowest price was well over the £110 standard rate expected.
Beyond inflated pricing, the investigation revealed a concerning pattern of unnecessary upselling.
Four of the 10 garages recommended additional repairs or servicing that were unrelated to the known fault, including brake replacements, spark plugs, air-conditioning servicing, and duplicate diagnostics.
In some cases, these add-ons would have added between £400 and £950 to the total bill.
Often these scandalous recommendations came without clear explanation of urgency, relevance, and immediate safety or drivability.
Automotive diagnostic specialist Carly, across 10 UK garages spanning independent and main dealer networks, found that some garages are charging £672 for a £110 repair
Four of the 10 garages recommended additional repairs or servicing that were unrelated to the known fault
Share this article
Alongside the revealing investigation, a OnePoll survey of 2,000 UK-based motorists revealed that 52 per cent either suspect or are unsure if they have been overcharged in the past five years, with many admitting they feel powerless when faced with repair bills.
Fifty-six per cent believe garages have the upper hand when it comes to repair costs, while 45 per cent say they distrust garages or are unsure whether quotes are fair.
There's a gender unfairness built in too, with 62 per cent believing women are more likely to be overcharged, while 53 per cent feel drivers with limited car knowledge are at greatest risk.
A key issue is that drivers say they do not feel confident when diagnosing car faults themselves: 51 per cent aren't sure of themselves when identifying serious problems.
Stuart Masson, editorial director at The Car Expert, said the investigation highlighted just how confusing and unpredictable car repairs can be.
'Even when every garage identified the same fault, quotes varied dramatically [some hundreds of pounds higher] and additional work was sometimes recommended unnecessarily.
'The real challenge for drivers isn’t just the cost, it’s the lack of clear information about what work is necessary and what a fair price should look like. Carly gives motorists the clarity and confidence to question quotes and make informed decisions before stepping into a garage.'
Carly's investigation comes a week after an industry report warned that drivers will incur higher repair costs in the coming years due to an understaffing issue triggered by the garage sector's failure to attract young workers.
Almost three quarters of professionals within the industry said it is taking longer to fix vehicles because of a staffing crisis that could soon cause a spike in garage bills.
A survey of 220 garages across the country, conducted by mobile repair platform ClickMechanic, found a nationwide struggle recruiting the next generation of car technicians is risking the future of the sector.
Existing mechanics are also growing increasingly concerned they will be forced to delay their own retirement as a result of ongoing financial pressures linked to running businesses.
If the current shortage continues, mechanics believe it could have significant consequences for motorists in the years ahead.
Two-thirds believe repair costs will rise, while a third warn that pressure on workshops could increase the risk of rushed or poor-quality repairs.
